The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) advises that the report on the probe into the billing and metering issues of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) will now be presented to the public on October 21, 2011. The investigation began on August 29, and the report was scheduled for public presentation on October 7, 2011.

The extension has been occasioned due to the unexpected volume of data (over 61,000 records) received which needed to be fully analysed. Initial analyses led to requests for additional data in order to seek clarification where inconsistencies arose. The JPS has been giving its full cooperation in the supply of data.

The Bureau of Standards (BSJ) has been brought on board to conduct meter tests in the laboratory and in the field, while a third party engineering firm has been retained to provide field personnel as independent witnesses. The field work for this activity was delayed due to logistical issues. The field accounts islandwide that have had meter changes will have follow-up meter readings taken about 7 days after each change.

The conclusion of the meter testing is a critical activity and this is not scheduled to be completed until Wednesday 5th October, when the reports are received. There are some tests of Residential Automated Metering Infrastructure (RAMI) installations to be completed within that time as well.

Present projections are that the field work and data collection will be completed and fully in hand by the 7th October. While the preparation of the Report has in fact started and is advanced consistent with the present stage of the investigation, it cannot be completed until the Team is in a position to fully analyse and interpret all that is before it.
2
An extension of the life of the investigation has been approved and the report is now expected to be made available to the public on October 21.